Every year since our graduation, Silvia and Steve have joined Felix and me for a winter vacation. I don’t like to say how many years that has been, but it is probably telling that this year our grandkids were planning to join us. Our daughter and son-in-law were excited to be taking a vacation to the Bahamas, so somehow it seemed appropriate that the rest of us ended up going somewhere cold. And not just any somewhere, Steve suggested that we go overseas and hit the best powder snow in the world, Mt. Niseko Annupuri in Hokkaido.
Mt. Yotei from Mt. Niseko
Though there is more grey in our hair now, Felix and I enjoy outdoor adventures, so it didn’t take long to agree. We decided to visit Japan for a week, divided between Tokyo and Mt. Niseko. We considered a day trip to the mountain from a hotel in Sapporo, but then found a fantastic deal at Annapuri Village. Annupuri Village is one of the main villages at the base of the Niseko United Ski Resort. Niseko United consists of Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Village (formerly Niseko Higashiyama), and Niseko Grand Hirafu-Hanazono.
There were chalets for rent; what better arrangement for two senior couples and two teenagers? The place we reserved, called the Creekside, had four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and came fully equipped (even a rice cooker!). Not only that, but we were able to place an order for food to be put in the kitchen for our arrival. We planned to have breakfasts in the cabin, but ended up ordering several bottles of wine, soft drinks for the kids, and plenty of snacks as well.
Annupuri Village Chalet
From the New Chitose International Airport it took about three hours to get to the village by coach bus. When we booked at Annupuri Village through their website we asked about how best to get there and they arranged everything for us, what great service, it took one less worry about the logistics of the trip from us. Upon arrival, we found a welcome basket filled with more food.
Niseko Snowboarding
There would be no problem with starving here, though we sure did work up an appetite while skiing every day. It was so nice having our own private chalet with views of the mountains and trees. It was just a short walk to the resort area with the gondolas, but our home felt secluded and peaceful.
Niseko snow snow snow
Every day we older folk had a relaxing breakfast over coffee, sitting next to the fireplace that Felix thoughtfully lit. Eventually the teens would join us, rubbing their eyes and complaining that they had been up too late watching the TV in the family room. Apparently they thought the Japanese television was hilarious, even though they did not understand the words.
Niseko Ski Resort
We would usually leave the house together, but divide up for the skiing itself. I prefer the gentle runs that Annapuri is famous for, but the teens managed to get quite banged up snowboarding on some of the steeper areas with more rugged terrain. Felix and Steve started out cautious, but were doing runs that stood my hair on end by the end of the vacation.
Mt Niseko Annupuri ski
Silvia confessed that she was not very excited about skiing, but joined a snowshoe hike the first morning. Then she found out that there were craft classes offered, and she was in her element. She took lessons in making candles, ceramics and woodworking. She even joined a class on making soba noodles. She said that the people teaching them were not always the best at English, but that someone was always around to help translate when needed. Actually, none of us had problems communicating while we were in Annapuri Village.
kani-shabu in hokkaido
Most of our meals were in our cabin, but we splurged on a few in restaurants. Our favorite was the all-you-can-eat barbeque at Mokumoku-tei in Hotel Niseko Ikoi no Mura . Let me assure you that two teens tired from a day outside were able to plow their way through several plates! But not only was there good food, but the views from the picture windows were just as lovely as those from the slopes.
Mokumoku-tei in Hotel Niseko Ikoi no Mura
The trip was all too short, and it was only with reluctance that we left the Creekside Cabin and said our silent goodbyes to the evergreens and thick snow. In the airplane on the way back to Tokyo, the teens were poring over a pamphlet of the summer activities at Annapuri Village, talking about horseback riding, rafting, and hot-air ballooning. I thought they would ask to go back in the summer, but I was a little bit wrong. The question turned out to be, “Did you see that they have homes for sale so you can live there year round? Do you think we can convince Mom and Dad that we need one?” It was worth a good laugh, but in my heart, I was glad that our grandchildren had enjoyed the vacation with us.
Hanazno Niseko Ski Resort
photos by:
Making-Things-Better &
hirotomo,
David McKelvey,
w00kie,
David McKelvey
